VIDEO: Let It Be Us & DCFS Launch New #OneChildIllinois Initiative to Inspire Adoptions from Foster Care

/
2 mins read

Giving Tuesday meets National Adoption Awareness Month with #OneChildIllinois, an new initiative introduced this November by Barrington-based non-profit, Let It Be Us. With a new toll-free phone number and adoption inquiry response team in place, Let It Be Us is making it easier than ever to help Illinois children move from foster care to forever families, ONE CHILD at a time.

Help ONE CHILD by calling 1-833-ONE-CHLD (1-833-663-2453)
or CLICK HERE today to support Illinois children in foster care.

 

In partnership with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Let It Be Us is unveiling the new toll-free number and introducing a series of personal accounts highlighting the difference families with open arms can make in the life of just one child. Let It Be Us founder, Susan McConnell says the number of children in need of support is staggering.

“In Illinois there are approximately 17,000 children in foster care and 54% of them will not return home,” McConnell says. “The reality is that, without enough parents to turn to, these children are heading to shelters and group homes where it is difficult to thrive. When a child is adopted, he or she is given a life-long support system, has a better chance of graduating from high school and going to college and the benefits extend through generations.”

DCFS Associate Deputy Director of Community Resources, Jataun Rollins says the current lack of available homes leaves children in foster care with limited options for future success.

“A shortage of homes wreaks havoc on a system reliant upon providing children with safe places to go. Children and youth feel hopeless and that no one cares for their life. These limited options lead to depression, low self esteem and finding new ‘families’ that do not have their best interest at heart,” Rollins says. “The #OneChildIllinois initiative ambitiously asks prospective foster parents to step out of their comfort zone by sharing their skills, talents, resources and life lessons with youth who many not have acquired those gifts prior to entry into care.”

Help ONE CHILD by calling 1-833-ONE-CHLD (1-833-663-2453)
or CLICK HERE today to support Illinois children in foster care.

The Smith family from Chicago’s south side is the focus of Let It Be Us’ first feature introducing the #OneChildIllinois campaign. Michael and Monique Smith chose to foster two young boys in need of a family and say that decision enriched their lives in ways they never imagined. Watch the video now for their story.

The Smith family video is just the first in a series of foster care success stories to come in the Let It Be Us/DCFS #OneChildIllinois campaign. Stay tuned for more personal accounts that show how you can make a world of difference just by helping that ONE CHILD.

Help ONE CHILD by calling 1-833-ONE-CHLD (1-833-663-2453)
or CLICK HERE today to support Illinois children in foster care.

Let It Be Us is an Illinois 501(c)(3) committed to inspiring the adoption and education of children within Illinois foster care. Learn more about Let It Be us programs, events and initiatives at LetItBeUs.org.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Latest from Blog